At Barth Roofing Company, Inc., our decades of experience, excellent certifications and first-class roofing services have earned us the trust of countless homeowners and helped us establish a reputation as a leading roofing contractor in our local area. We offer a wide range of roofing services, including installation of solar energy systems, which can help you save money. In today’s article, we discuss the question of whether you should replace your roof before you have solar panels installed.
Should You Replace Your Roof First?
You’ll need to think long-term if you decide to install a solar photovoltaic system on your roof. Most solar panels are designed to last for 25 to 30 years, which is also the average lifespan of most asphalt shingle roofing systems. For this reason, you want your roof and solar panels to be around the same age, so we don’t recommend installing a solar panel system on an old roof. Removing the solar panels to do roof work is a labor-intensive project that may affect the cost savings you get when switching to solar power.
As an experienced solar roof company, we recommend getting a new roof together with your solar panels in order to sync up the lifespans of both products. To give you an idea of what to expect, here is some information on the lifespans of common roofing materials, along with their pros and cons.
Roof Types and Lifespans
Tile and ceramic roofs can last for many decades, outlasting solar panels. However, installing solar panels on a tile roof requires exceptional care. The tiles need to be removed before installing the brackets with flashing to prevent roof leaks. Standing seam metal roofs also boast a long lifespan of around 50 years. The seams in this roof type can be used for mounting hardware for the solar panels. However, metal roofs may not be the right choice for some kinds of homes.
Asphalt shingle roofs are the simplest and most convenient option because they are affordable, durable and look great on most types of homes. High-quality asphalt shingles can last just as long as your new solar panels. In fact, solar panels can even improve the lifespan of asphalt shingles because they act as an extra layer of protection. Attaching the solar panels involves drilling into the roof and attaching the mounting hardware to roof studs. The roofer then seals the roof penetrations to prevent water damage.
You can rely on our company for all your roof repair or replacement needs. All our labor is backed by our material supplier. They will inspect our work prior to accepting responsibility. This is over and above any standard material warranty. You will have peace of mind when you work with us. Call us at (209) 833-9917 to learn more about our services and products or to ask for a consultation.